Rep. Mike Schofield

Maddy summaryHB 41 would limit property tax increases for disabled individuals and homeowners aged 65+ in Texas. It caps the total annual property taxes that counties, cities, and junior college districts can impose on qualifying homesteads at the amount paid in the first year the homeowner qualified for the exemption under Section 11.13(c) of the Tax Code. This prevents future tax hikes above that initial amount, even if property values rise. The bill directly affects disabled homeowners, elderly residents (65+), and their surviving spouses who own their primary residence. It modifies existing tax code provisions to establish this permanent tax freeze for eligible homeowners.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to limit property taxes on primary homes for disabled or elderly Texans. It would prevent local governments (counties, cities, or school districts) from raising taxes on homesteads owned by people aged 65+ or disabled residents, and their surviving spouses aged 55+ after the owner’s death. The tax limit would transfer if the homeowner moves within the same taxing district, and local governments could hold elections (with 5% voter petition) to adopt this rule. Currently referred to the Ways & Means committee, this amendment would require voter approval to take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the interest rate applied to property tax deferrals for qualifying primary residences (homesteads). It sets the interest rate during deferral to the lower of 5% or the 5-year Treasury rate (reported by the Federal Reserve), replacing the previous tax code rate. Homeowners who qualify for tax deferral will pay less interest under this change, though interest accrued before filing the deferral request remains preserved. The law takes effect December 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 64 creates a rule that Texas state senators and representatives lose their seats if absent from all legislative proceedings without approved leave for seven consecutive days when their house is in session. This provision directly affects legislators who miss sessions without permission, triggering an immediate vacancy. The bill specifies that the absence must occur during days the house is meeting, not just calendar days. It would take effect immediately if passed with a two-thirds vote, otherwise 91 days after the legislative session ends.

Maddy summaryHB 42 creates a new office of State Special Prosecutor in Texas, appointed by the Supreme Court for four-year terms. This office handles specific criminal cases including election law violations, human trafficking, certain abortion law violations (Chapters 170-171 Health and Safety Code), offenses under Sections 557.001 and 42.02 of the Penal Code, and other designated cases. The bill establishes procedures for appointing assistants, filling vacancies (with the governor stepping in if the Supreme Court delays), and maintaining staff support through agreements with the Attorney General's office. The State Special Prosecutor has concurrent jurisdiction to represent the state in district and inferior courts for these targeted cases.

Maddy summaryHB 39 amends Texas law to adjust how school districts calculate property values for state funding. It directs that taxable value for school finance purposes must exclude certain homestead exemptions, including those under Tax Code Sections 11.13(b), (c), and (n), as well as captured appraised value in designated reinvestment zones. This change directly affects Texas public school districts by altering the property value base used to determine state funding allocations. The bill modifies Education Code Section 7.062(c) and Government Code Section 403.302(d) to implement this adjustment in funding calculations.

Maddy summaryHB 37 updates Texas election law by clarifying definitions to separate federal elections from state and local elections. It redefines "federal election" to exclude presidential elections, specifies "federal office" as only U.S. Senate or House seats, and adjusts terms like "general election for state and county officers" and "statewide office" to exclude federal contests. These changes primarily affect Texas election administrators and voters by clarifying which elections are classified under state law, ensuring federal contests (except Senate/Representative races) are handled distinctly from state/local voting procedures. The bill is procedural, focusing on terminology rather than altering voting mechanics.

Maddy summaryHB 162 prohibits political subdivisions (like cities or counties) from using eminent domain to acquire property outside their own boundaries. The bill adds a new provision (Section 2206.003) to the Government Code stating that political subdivisions "may not take through eminent domain public or private property located outside the political subdivision's boundaries." This directly affects local governments seeking to acquire land for projects beyond their jurisdictional limits. The law creates a clear restriction on eminent domain use, overriding prior allowances that permitted such acquisitions outside boundaries.

Maddy summaryHR 49 is a ceremonial resolution introduced by Representative Schofield to congratulate Aristoi Classical Academy on being named Best Charter School in the Houston Chronicle's 2025 Best of the Best list. The resolution formally recognizes the school's achievement and directs the Texas House of Representatives to provide an official copy of the resolution to the academy as a gesture of appreciation. This resolution does not create new laws or affect policy; it is a symbolic acknowledgment of the school's educational accomplishments.

Maddy summaryHB 173 prohibits political subdivisions (like cities, counties, or school districts) from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay nonprofit associations that primarily represent such entities and hire lobbyists. It specifically bans spending public money to: (1) contract with registered lobbyists, or (2) support organizations that hire registered lobbyists for legislative advocacy. Exceptions include activities by sheriffs' associations, employees providing basic information to legislators, or nonprofits offering bill tracking or non-lobbying legislative services. The bill allows taxpayers to seek court injunctions and recover legal fees if a subdivision violates these restrictions.